608 



THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE OX 



THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM OF THE OX 

 The Pericardium and Heart 



The pericardium is attached by two filjrous bands (Ligamenta sterno-peri- 

 cardiaca) to the sternum opposite the facets for the sixth costal cartilages; these 

 ligaments, right and left, are embedded in the mass of fat which separates the apex 

 of the pericardium from the floor of the thorax. 



_ Aorta 



Ligamcntiiyn artcriosum 



Left branch of pulmonary artery 

 Pulmonary veins 



Posterior vena cava 



\ 



Anterior vena 

 cava 



Brachioceph a lit 

 trunk 



Plight auricle 

 Pulmonary artery 



Right ventricle 

 Left coronary artery 



Jieniiazygos 

 ft auricle 



Posterior branch of left 

 coronary artery in 

 intermediate groove 

 Left ventricle 



Fig. 467. — Heart of Ox, Lkkt A'ikw. 



The heart of the adult ox has an average weight of about 5^ to 6 pounds (ca. 

 2.5 to 2.7 kg.), or about 0.4 to 0.5 per cent, of the body-weight. Its length from 

 base to apex is relatively longer than that of the horse and the base is smaller in 

 both its diameters. 



A shallow intermediate groove (Sulcus intermedins) extends from the coronary 

 groove down the left side of the posterior l^order, ])ut does not reach the apex. The 

 amount of fat in and near the grooves is much greater than in the horse. 



The heart is situated more to the left of the median plane than in the horse and 

 is opposite to the third, fourth, and fifth ribs when it is contracted. It has exten- 



